Unity...

Cody and I are HUGE Atlanta United FC fans! If you aren't familiar with the team, a. what the heck is wrong with you?!? :) and b. they are a Major League Soccer team that is currently in their 2nd season. They have been extremely successful, not only on the field (they made the playoffs last year and are currently #1 in the league) but also regarding season ticket sales, match attendance and the ability to attract major talent. When we first moved to Atlanta, we immediately became part of the "Founders Club," season ticket holders who have been here from the beginning. We were excited to be a part of something from the ground up.

The organization is quite financially savvy as they are owned by Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons. "Uncle Arthur," as he is affectionately known in the ATL has been around the block a time or two when it comes to running a successful business. Scarves are a big part of soccer fandom in general and have been a part of MLS fan culture since the inception of the league. The United has come up with a brilliant idea that appeals to hoarder...I mean collector...fans like me. They are introducing a new "Scarf of the Month" every month this season, and even though I already had 8 ATLUTD scarves, I just HAD to buy the new June "Unity" scarf when we attended the match last night.

So as I was rockin' my new scarf and enjoying the match last night, I started to realize how appropriately named this new scarf and our beloved team are. One of the things I love most about going to the matches is the sense of community among the fans. When we're standing together for 90 minutes, cheering for our team, our differences just seem to fade away. When the United scores, strangers in the crowd start high-fiving each other. It doesn't matter if we're white, black, brown, old, young, male, female, Jewish, Christian, Muslim or whatever, we are UNITED in that moment and the problems of the world are the furthest things from our minds. It's an amazing feeling and I encourage everyone to find a place where they can experience that kind of unity.

There are so many groups and even sports leagues (yes, NFL, I'm talking to you) that are dead set on encouraging divisiveness these days. I try not to get caught up in the nonsense coming from the "news" media, politicians, entertainers and social media. Instead, I like to focus on what I'm seeing in my own daily life, and I call BS. Atlanta is a racially and culturally diverse city and that's one of the things I love best about it. I work with people of all different backgrounds and we all support and respect one another. I encounter lots of different kinds of people all day long and the vast majority of them are kind, friendly and polite. Sure, I encounter the occasional jerk, but I never assume their behavior is because of anything other than the fact that some people are just assholes. Choosing to go through life seeing the good in people rather than the bad is one of the healthiest choices a person can make. I just wish more people would make that choice...